Ventriloquy creeped me out when I was a kid. I didn’t quite understand the concept and all the horror movies and books about the murderous dummies didn’t help bring it to a better light. The traditional dummies of lore were unquestionably terrifying: their beady little eyes that wobbled around, their haunting mouths that bobbed up and down, their unassuming posture upon their master’s lap. They always seemed ready to stealthily animate themselves and murder someone in cold blood. But those were the olden days.
Jeff Dunham’s whimsical puppets are far from scary. They’re actually pretty hilarious. World renowned comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham will be performing at the Amsoil Arena this Sunday. He is one of the most accomplished comedians of all time making number one on Forbes highest paid comedians list. Mr. Dunham has also published an autobiography titled All By Myselves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me. His success speaks for itself. Mr. Dunham was kind enough to let The Reader ask him a few questions about ventriloquy and his ongoing American tour, Disorderly Conduct.

Reader: How did you first become interested in ventriloquy?  

JD: I was a shy little kid, I was terrible at sports, not one of the popular crowd, but to get up on stage in front of the class and be able to pick on my classmates or pick on the school or pick on the teachers or the principal and get some laughs out of it, it became some cool thing. I was up there challenging things and saying things that no other kids could say and not get in trouble.
So that’s the way it began and my formula pretty much hasn’t changed at all: Get up onstage and say things that make people laugh and see what I can get away with and that’s where it’s grown from there.
 
Reader: Do you have a favorite puppet?

JD:I’m a bit of a chameleon when it comes to having a favorite:  Whatever that particular audience of the night is liking the most, I’m having a ball right along with them.  It goes without saying, however, that Achmed certainly has allowed me to break through in places that otherwise might have remained closed for a while.  His clips on You Tube put whatever ride it is that the characters and I are on into a very high orbit.  The recent shows in Europe are certainly a testament to that.  Folks in UK were NUTS for the characters, especially Achmed! So is he my favorite?  I couldn’t say that and hurt Peanut’s feelings...
 
Reader: Slate.com called you America’s favorite comedian. What do you think gravitates people towards ventriloquist acts?

JD: The puppets can get away with jokes and observations that other comedians can’t. People pay attention to the dummy and forget who you are and that you’re even there.

Reader: What’s next for Jeff Dunham?

JD: I want to be in the next Star Trek movie with Achmed as the villain and Walter as a Spock descendant.  Just kidding.  But that would be cool.  Honestly, it’s just a journey and planning of doing bigger and better business in any arena where expansion and improvement can build and enhance the other areas of work.  I wouldn’t say I’ve conquered any area, but more that we’ve done really well in a few select areas and it makes me want to make the lesser and new areas be equally as successful.  
 I hope in the near future that we can do a couple of films and bring the characters to life on the big screen, plus continue to expand our presence world wide.  Talk of China is on the table, so at this point we’re just having fun filling the dance card.